Archive for: January 2008

We’re bracing for some crazy weather tonight in Michigan; up to 12 inches of snow with bitter cold temps and lots of wind. There is already talk of school getting canceled on Friday. I hope that isn’t the case because I am slated to accompany my daughter Erin, to the Daddy-Daughter Dance Friday night.

I went by Detroit Comics today and had a good talk with my friend and owner, Brian. First and foremost he his a film guy and is eagerly awaiting new legislation to pass in the Michigan House and Senate that will allow more movies to be filmed in Michigan, thus giving him more work for him to do. Our Governor, Jennifer Granholm even mentioned the subject in her State of the State speech Tuesday night. I’m not sure on the details, or how it will all pan out, but from the sounds of it a lot of good will come about if these measures are passed. On with today’s links:

• Boom! Studios blogs about a review of Salem: Queen of Thorns by Indie Comic Book Noise (Congrats to Bruce and Derek!)
• More digital goodness. Chapter One of Criminal Volume One is available for free at MySpace
• The Arts Show on RTE 1 - a public service broadcaster, essentially Ireland’s equivalent to the BBC - has an episode dedicated to discussing graphic novels and comics. Thanks to my friend Joe, FPI Blog
• Alan Gardner, Daily Cartoonist, reports that a new book published about first African American woman cartoonist. Turns out it is Jackie Ormes who created Torchy Brown in 1937. I mention this because not only does this sound like a neat retrospective, but the folks at University of Michigan Press are publishing it. Perhaps to coincide with the release of the book, there will be some sort of celebration or acknowledgment in the Ann Arbor area later in the year. I’ll keep you posted.
• Check out the final cover art for Eddie Campbell’s upcoming new book The Amazing Remarkable Monsieur Leotard. You may recall that Campbell did the book The Black Diamond Detective Agency and has won numerous awards including an Eisner, an Ignatz, and a Harvey
• I love comics and I love sports. Throughout the years there have been many attempts to combine the two into a successful and profitable relationship. This has failed time and time again, except for Tank McNamara (1974) and another comic strip that has prevailed since 1958: Gil Thorpe. Alan Gardner, Daily Cartoonist, reports that a new Gil Thorp character will be named after fan of the strip. It should be noted that Neal Rubin, from our local paper The Detroit News is the current writer. I read (or at least I try to read) Gil Thorpe everyday, and so should you.
• Review: Collected Editions Blog on 52: The Companion. Whether or not you like 52, this is a book that should be in you collection. (and the CCL is even mentioned, hooray!)

Have you gotten enough of Bucky and Captain America today? I know I sure have. And. hell, I have the series on my pull list!. And really, is Captain America really dead? Not Steve Rogers, I mean Cap. Let’s face it, his title never went away after he died in #25 and you can find him in Marvel Adventures, The Chosen, The Ultimates, you’ll be able to see him in the upcoming Avengers/Invaders series and in a few panels of The Twelve, and he is even represented by Patriot of Young Avengers. And as far as collected editions go, since Cap took a bullet we have had no less then FIVE books with his name on it! So now Bucky is the new Captain America and by my count the 12th person to wear the “A”. Don’t get me wrong, this is the best comic book on the market, I just think people make too much of the whole “death” thing. At least we comic snobs, know that word death is an oxymoron. On with today’s links:

• More cool stuff from Pottery Barn Kids that is made for your children, but you know that YOU want to buy it for yourself — like the Vintage Spider-Man Printed Cork boards
• The Metabunker reports comics writer and historian Alfredo Castelli has a new incredible collection of all of his work on the early American newspaper strip, Eccoci ancora qui (Here We Are Again) and it is now available online in PDF format! Meticulously researched and chock-full of rarely-seen images, this is a must for everyone interested in the period, even if you don’t read Italian. The links only last until February 7. After that you’ll have to wait for the bound version, which is currently being printed in a limited collector’s edition and will be issued in a less adorned, “normal” edition in 2009.
• Thanks to Joe, FPI Blog, and Dirk, Journalista, for this one, Richard Sheaf looks at French imports of British adventure comics.
• Johanna Draper Carlson, Comics Worth Reading, has a cool article on a book collecting competition. I guess that last years second place winner was selected for his collection of “Daredevil comics and graphic novels”.

Collected Comics Library Podcast #157

21,371Kb; 22m 31s

If you’re like me, you never heard of Darwyn Cooke before DC: The New Frontier came out in 2003. Since then, however, Cooke has been on a tear, working on a wide range of projects including Batman, The Spirit, Catwoman, X-Force, Spider-Man and even Painkiller Jane. Today on the show I tell you a bit about his pre-New Frontier days and where you can find his work in collected edition form.

Also, I talk a bit on Marvel, Image, Detroit Podcasters Network and answer an e-mail about Shang-Chi Master of Kung Fu. We have a new Question of the Month in time for Valentines Day and as always I go over the New Releases of the Week.

Chris
Harvey Awards
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 CCL Podcast #157 - Trading Darwyn Cooke [22:31m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

I’m off to the all important monthly Detroit Podcasters Network meet-up tonight. Where we’ll ponder the question,”What beers do you have on tap”? In all seriousness, the gatherings are a lot of fun and very much laid back. If you are anywhere near Detroit on the final Tuesday of any month come on by and hang out. Just check our official website to see where we’ll be. Good times and better company. On with today’s links:

• The guys at the Collected Editions blog get serious. DC Hardcovers are the topic at hand and they are fed up. And be sure to bookmark their site, new reviews are being posted all the time.
• Go Read: John Mayo, Comic Book Resources and Comic Book Page Podcast, on Sales Estimates For December, 2007 Books
• If you think that DC and Marvel are the only ones making giant collected editions get ready for the Manga version. Kevin Melrose, Blog@Newsarama, delves into the upcoming segment.
• Go Vote: Tom Brevoort and The Golden Loebs! Sounds like a Holiday Inn band. Don’t forget to tip your waitress.
• Sometimes things just go right and it makes you smile. Bob Greenberger reports that the new Chuck Dixon and Rick Burchett web comic Heroes Happen Here has launched. I’m not into web comics at all, but I’ll be reading this one everyday.
• Review: Michael May, Blog@Newsarama, on Astronaut Dad, Volume 1. I really have to pick up this book.

This past weekend was full of friends and sports (and a bit of comics). Friday I went to the Auto Show and with Patrick . We had a great time looking at not only all the sports cars, but also many new models a few of which I’m very interested in since Patty and I are in the market for a new car. Friday night I went out for a few drinks, it was my birthday after all. Saturday we celebrated Patrick’s birthday and we went over to Grandma’s for pizza. Sunday I watched the PGA and the X-Games. Sunday night I finally got around to reading two more Luke Cage stories out of the first Essential. The weekend went by too quickly. On with today’s links:

• Comics NOW! Magazine is out in stores. I blog about this because the Collected Comics Library is mentioned in a Comic Book Podcasting article by Derek Coward, Comic Book Noise
• Brian Cronin, CBR, has a blurb about Michael Fleisher’s new book about his Spectre series in Adventure Comics. Ever since the Spectre Archives, I’ve been fascinated by the character and his continuity throughout all of his series. This includes not only Jim Corrigan, but Hal Jordan and Crispus Allen, as well.
• Go Vote: Harvey Awards ballot now online
• Johanna Draper Carlson, Comics Worth Reading, blogs about Marvel to Reprint European Comics From Solei. I’ve never heard of any of them.
• John Jackson Miller, Comics Chronicles, The comics industry saw its seventh consecutive year of increased sales to comics shops in 2007. Thanks to Tom Spurgeon, Comics Reporter
• Roger Green interviews Fred Hembeck, The Nearly Complete Essential Hembeck Archive Omnibus. Thanks to Greg Burgas, CBR
• Review: Collected Editions Blog on Nightwing: Love and War TPB
• Review: Johanna Draper Carlson, Comics Worth Reading, on the Marvel Vault, a book I’m very tempted to buy.
• ICv2 Announces 2008 Graphic Novel Conference At New York Comic Con
• PR from Top Shelf: Witchblade Volume 3 TBP. The book will collect Witchblade #93-100 along with Witchblade: Bearers of the Blade, which have never been collected.

As I sit down to Blog today, Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are in the fairway, and Rory Sabatini is whining because the group behind him hit into him. Some things never change.
Glad to see the PGA in full swing (pun intended). On with today’s links:

• Since I have made comic books a full bore hobby of mine, I have met some really wonderful people. One of whom is Bob Greenberger. Now, I never met Bob face to face, nor have I even talked with him on the phone. We’ve only e-mailed each other. Whether it was comics, baseball Star Trek or whatever, Bob has always been a wonder person and he has supported the CCL throughout the years. All that said, I want you to go read his Blog and then stop and access what is the most important thing in your life right now. Comic Books won’t be at the top of your list.
• Going to Las Vegas this weekend? Go to the Library District ComicsFest. Tell Greg Rucka I said hello!
• Kenny Penman, Forbidden Planet International, posts his favorites of 2007. The UK edition of From Hell will soon be in my home. I can’t wait, I’ve never read it.
• Tom Brevoort, Executive Editor for Marvel Comics, wants you to be positive. Just knowing that Tom has to spend his own money on oversized hardcovers gives me a chuckle.
• Tom Bondurant, Blog@Newsarama, ponders the DC Comics Solicitations for April 2008. Hard to disagree with his comparison of Tales of the Sinestro Corps and World’s Finest Deluxe Edition
• My thanks to the Collected Editions Blog and ComicList.com. I had no idea that the Green Arrow/Black Canary: The Wedding HC had been cancelled. It should get resolicited.

The news keeps coming down about Heath Ledger and it looks like it won’t let up until The Dark Knight Special Edition DVD is released this Christmas. Even now, less then 24 hours after his death, speculation abounds on 1) how will the death effect the marketing campaigns and 2) what will this do to a Part 3 of the current movie series. I say give it a rest. All things will work out in the end, but in the meantime you can be sure that the folks at E! are busy working on the latest installment of the True Hollywood Story. On with today’s links:

• Go see John Hett and Al Feldstein at the Halle Library Auditorium, Eastern Michigan University and then go see Alfred, We Hardly Knew Thee now until February 7
• Diamond’s 2007 Year-End Sales Charts & Market Share Report The Civil War TPB is #1, no real surprise
• Heidi MacDonald, The Beat, blogs on comic book industry related Oscar nominated films
• Review: Johanna Draper Carlson, Comics Worth Reading on Midnight Sun
• Review: Payback Website on The Boondocks, Past and Present
• Review: Luke Foster, The Pulse on all things Franklin Richards

Collected Comics Library Podcast #156

29,886Kb; 31m 36s

I recorded this week’s show last night (Tuesday at 9:00pm) after the news hit the wire about the death of Heath Ledger. I, undoubtedly, have a few thoughts on this myself. To put it plainly it’s very sad. At first glance it looks like no foul play was involved and that no suicide attempt was made. Ledger, of course, was on track to make his Oscar nominated name even bigger this summer as The Joker. Now he’ll be put into a list of young Hollywood actors, whose life ended to quickly: James Dean, Brandon Lee, River Phoenix, and even Brad Renfro, who died just last week.

As for the feature, I tell you about all the Countdown 80-Page Giant Specials that have been coming out. I go over the contents and tell you why those particular stories were chosen to be reprinted.

I also talk about three separate comic books shows, two of which you can listen too. All this and the New Releases of the Week.

Chris

Forbidden Planet Blog - Alan Grant, Denise Mina and Ian Rankin get graphic at the Edinburgh International Book Festival
Ink Studs - Comics As Art
Wordballoon with Jeph Loeb part 3
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 CCL #156 The Countdown 80-Page Giant Specials [31:36m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

I meant to blog yesterday (Monday) but with the kids off of school, I just couldn’t really find a good hour or two to sit down, go through all the mail and the blogs and gather all the information up. But I’m back today. One change that I’m going to do is to do a review of my experience at the Comic Books/Art show I went to Saturday night. I’ve decided to tell you all about it in this week’s Podcast, due out on Wednesday. BTW, the main topic for the show will be all of the 80-Page Giant Countdown Specials (reprints). On with todays links:

• Top 100 Graphic Novels Actual–December 2007. John Mayo and I will podcasting about this soon.
• Heidi MacDonald , The Beat, is giving away Little Lulu reprint volumes. Hurry! contest ends Friday January 25.
• Brendan Wright has an extensive Q&A up with Top Shelf’s Brett Warnock that covers a lot of ground, including the third League of Extraordinary Gentlemen book — and he talks about the Absolute Edition. (link via Blog@Newsarama)
• Look for ME on the Comics Reporter Blog
• Review: J. Caleb Mozzocco, Every Day Is Like Wednesday, on the 52 TPB’s and all the extra that are included.
• Review: Collected Editions Blog on JSA Classified: Honor Among Thieves TPB
• Review: Greg Burgas, Comics Should Be Good on Alias (Marvel MAX) Go pick up the Omnibus - if you can find it.

Here is an update of some books with new release dates. Thanks to Charles LaPage of ComicList, a loyal friend of the CCL

DC COMICS
Adam Strange Archives Volume 3 HC 4/30/2008
Batman: The Man Who Laughs HC 1/30/2008
El Diablo TPB (Vertigo) 1/30/2008
Heavy Liquid TPB (Vertigo) 1/30/2008
Infinite Crisis TPB 2/27/2008
Manhunter Volume 4: Unleashed TPB 1/30/2008
Outsiders/Checkmate: Checkout TPB 1/30/2008
Penguin Revolution Volume 5 (CMX) 1/30/2008

MARVEL COMICS
Marvel Masterworks Uncanny X-Men HC Volume 6 Regular and Editions 2/13/2008
Powers HC Volume 2 Definitive Collection (resolicited) (MR) 3/26/2008
Thor by J. Michael Straczynski Premiere HC Volume 1 4/16/2008
Thor Visionaries by Walt Simonson TPB Vol. 05 2/6/2008
X-Men HC: Endangered Species 1/30/2008